Our Week in Kaanapali, Maui

Posted on the 25 June 2012 by Thenigottothinking @tracyzlesh
What a fun week our family {minus sister & nephews} spent in Maui. We stayed at the Kaanapali Alii, and it was beautiful. Being jet lagged the first few mornings, I woke up early and took walks with my mom, grandpa and grandma.  I enjoyed getting to spend time with them.  I heard lots of stories from the past and I enjoyed hearing them and asking questions.  My grandpa is one of the most incredible men I will ever know - he has the purest and kindest heart and makes a friend in everyone he meets.  And my grandma, she's a spitfire.  Married for more than 62 years... the two of them make quite a pair - and I hope to have a happy, long and successful marriage like them.  I am quite proud to be their grand daughter.
The theme of this trip for me was family.  Spending time with my sister, BIL, parents, and grandparents is what made this fun.  We played in the waves, spent time in Lahaina, Whalers Village, laid by the pool, played cards and relaxed.  We also went out to dinner... a lot.  We ate at Longboards, Dukes, Leilani's, and my favorite... The Plantation House. {we ate there on Father's Day}
One of the days, we took a sailing trip to go snorkeling on the Gemini.  I definitely recommend this excursion if you go to Kaanapali.  The staff is friendly, the gear is clean, the boat is beautiful, and they serve a really yummy lunch and have an open bar.
On Father's Day - my dad, sister, BIL, TL and I went wakeboarding on the ocean.  We woke up early and met up with Ryan from Wake Maui for a fun few hours out on the boat.  We wakeboarded and wake surfed - then he took us to a secret turtle cleaning station where we got to swim with the turtles.  It was awesome.  If you love wakeboarding - do this... it's so much fun and the salt water makes you very buoyant.    First day - off the airplane and into the pool.  Every morning, my grandpa woke up early and watched the surfers The Alii  TL, dad, grandpa, me, Juls, BIL  Mom and dad catching waves in the ocean The boys in the pool  Juls, BIL, me, and TL being a goof  Dad & Grandpa before sailing  On the sailboat - The Gemini  Before snorkeling Boarding in the ocean  Dad wake surfing  Me and my sweet grandpa  Me, Dad, and Juls All of us at The Plantation House on Father's Day - special memories.
Going to Hawaii is always a past, present, & future feeling for me. I think about the past trips going with my family and friends.  People we've been with who have since passed away and the fun memories with them.  I think of the present - being there right now and the special people I am with.  And of course, I think of the future - trips with my family and hopefully kids and making memories.
Thank you to my parents & grandparents for taking us along on this trip.  We made memories that I will never forget.  We feel so blessed.  Aloha!